Surprising Borneo

13 Days / 10 Nights

When you think of Malaysia, what do you imagine?  Perhaps Kuala Lumpur, with its Twin Towers?  But Malaysia is much more!  This 13 Day tour program highlights Borneo, a rarely-visited destination offering a surprising array of wildlife, nature & cultures.  Visit Kinabalu, Abai, Sukau, the Danum Valley, and amazing Kuala Lumpur.  Experience an unusual array of flora at the Mountain Garden; wildlife, including birds, orangutans and other monkeys, elephants; and much more! 

Sample Group Itinerary 

Day 1  -  Depart USA
Today we depart the USA bound for Asia.

Day 2  -  (In Flight)

Day 3  -  Arrive Kota Kinabalu (Borneo)
We arrive in Asia, and board a connecting flight destined for Kota Kinabalu.  A brief sunset tour of Kota Kinabalu includes Signal Hill, and the colorful Kampung Air Night Market.  We enjoy a delightful welcome dinner.  Grand Borneo Hotel.  (D)

Day 4  - Kota Kinabalu
We embark on a full-day excursion today to Kinabalu Park.  A 2-hour overland journey through rice paddies and Dusun villages takes us to the base of Mt. Kinabalu.  We reach Kundasang, where we visit the Visitor Center and Mountain Garden, home to 24 species of flowering rhododendrons, 10 species of carnivorous pitcher plants, some 1,400 species of orchids, over 600 species of ferns, more than 40 species of oak trees, and over 300 species of birds.  Then we continue 25 miles to Poring, where we explore a tropical rainforest with a jungle trail leading to canopy walkways suspended 135 ft. above the forest floor.  Return to Kota Kinabalu for overnight.  Grand Borneo Hotel. (BLD)

Day 5  -  Kota Kinabalu  -  Sandakan  -  Abai
An early morning flight takes us to Sandakan.  We proceed to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Center, in time for the morning feeding.  Then we take a boat from Sandakan to the Abai Jungle Lodge.  After lunch, we take a river cruise to look for wildlife, including birds and monkeys, such as the Silvered Langur, Maroon Langur, Hose Langur, and Wild Orangutan.  Abai Jungle Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 6  -  Abai  -  Sukau
After another river trip early this morning, we have breakfast, and then depart by boat to Sukau.  We visit the Gomantong Caves in the afternoon, and enjoy a late afternoon river trip in search of some of the 10 primate species, including Proboscis monkeys. Bird life is also abundant.  Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 7  -  Sukau  -  Danum Valley
This morning we travel overland via Lahad Datu and past softwood and cocoa plantations, to reach the Danum Valley.  This is the largest protected area of dipterocarp rainforest in Sabah, covering over 10,000 acres.  We check-in at our lodge and have lunch, followed by a slide presentation.  The lodge is home to a range of fauna, including the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Elephants, Clouded Leopards and Orangutans.  An afternoon trek provides us with an introduction to the forest by nature trails and a 1,000 ft. long canopy walkway, suspended 85 ft. above the ground at its highest point.  After dinner, a night drive in an open-top vehicle allows us to search for nocturnal animals.  Borneo Rainforest Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 8  -  Danum Valley
Breakfast at the Lodge, followed by a morning jungle trek to the Kadazandusun burial site at Coffin Cliff, and the View Point for a panoramic view of the area,  We descend to the Jacuzzi Pool, where we can enjoy a refreshing dip.  Lunch at the lodge.  In the afternoon we can take another jungle trek, or go for a relaxing session of “tubing” down the Danum River.  Dinner at the lodge.  A night walk is planned in search of nocturnal jungle life.  Borneo Rainforest Lodge.  (BLD)

Day 9  -  Danum Vally  -  Kota Kinabalu
We check-out and travel 2½ hours to reach the Lahad Datu airport.  We fly back to Kota Kinabalu, and return to the Grand Borneo Hotel for dinner and overnight.  (BLD)

Day 10  -  Kota Kinabalu  -  Kuala Lumpur
We transfer back to the airport this morning and fly to Kuala Lumpur.  On arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel.  The afternoon is at leisure to rest or to begin exploring “K.L.” on your own.  A special evening tour introduces us to the modern Malaysian way of life.  A harmonious mingling of the different races, cultures and religions is obvious as we experience K.L. at dusk.  Among the highlights of the tour are visits to the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and the Open Air Bazaar of Chinatown.  Time will be allowed for you to enjoy dinner on your own in Chinatown.  Return to the hotel for overnight.  Swiss Garden Hotel.  (B)

Day 11  - Kuala Lumpur (Malacca Excursion)
A full-day excursion today to Malacca – a historical city, which has a legacy dating back 600 years from the Malay Sultanates, then to Portuguese, Dutch and the English influences.  It is always a favorite tourist spot for visitors from all over the world.  Among the highlights of the tour are St Peter’s Church, Porta De Santiago and the ruins of St Paul’s Church, the Dutch Administration office, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple & Jonker Street.  This evening we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner.  Swiss Garden Hotel.  (BLD)
 
Day 12  -  Kuala Lumpur
After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of K.L.  We start our tour with a transfer to Masjid Jamek, the meeting point of two rivers where Kuala Lumpur begins. Our unique city tour will start from here with a walk through the old town, where you get an opportunity to experience the living museum. We will also do a short walk around “Little India”, and then proceed to Independence Square, where the country declared independence in 1957.  We will do a photo stop at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a stately, historic building, rich in character.  Our bus will then pick us up from here and we proceed to the Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden, K.L.’s most popular park, located just 10 minutes from the city center.  We will make a stop at the Orchid Garden to experience the exotic blooms of orchids on this 2½ acre floral paradise.  After the orchid garden visit, we will drive past the National State Mosque, and the old Railway Station, follow by our last stop near the Twin Towers to take pictures.  Balance of the day is free for last-minute shopping, or to further explore K.L. on your own.  Swiss Garden Hotel.  (B)

Day 13  -  Malaysia  -  USA
Today we bid farewell to Malaysia, and pledge to return again, as we depart for our return flight to the USA, full of memories of the fauna, flora, and people of this amazing country.  After an overnight trip, we arrive back in the USA the same day. 

Included Meal Codes:
B  -  Breakfast
L  -  Lunch
D  -  Dinner.

Tour Price Will Include:
  -  Round-Trip Airfare from USA to Malaysia     
  -  All Transfers Airports/Hotels/Airports
  -  10 Nights Accommodation as described (or similar) with private facilities, based on double occupancy
  -  Most Meals as indicated 
  -  Services of a professional English speaking escort throughout from arrival to departure in Malaysia 
  -  Tours, sightseeing and nature excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees 
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation.

Tour Price Will Not Include:
  -  Taxes, Fuel Surcharges, and other fees applicable to the airfare
  -  Tips to guides, drivers, and tour director
  -  Excess baggage fees
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, internet access fees, laundry, etc.
  -  Travel Insurance.

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